EPILOGUE
One year later
Castle Lachlan
Gregor hurried through the courtyard and into the keep, taking the stairs to the great hall two at a time.
While hunting today, he’d made a decision he wanted to share with his wife.
He crossed the hall and headed for the back circular stair to the upper floors, expecting Emily to be in the ladies’ solar.
Lady Isobell stopped him before he placed a foot on the first step. “I have a missive for you from Emily.”
Her unnerving smile set him on edge. “Where is she?”
“Have nae fear all will be explained.” The woman held out the note.
Why would he be presented with a missive if Emily was within the keep? After all this time had passed, had she decided to return to her future place? Without him? He accepted the note with an unsteady hand and quickly broke the seal.
The missive invited him to join Emily at the hunting lodge.
He raised a questioning gaze to Lady Isobell.
She shrugged a shoulder and strolled away to join her husband and son near the hearth.
Gregor remained still for a moment, his mind whirring. Ah! The she-devil. A smile curved his lips, and he jumped into action, reversing his previous steps.
Anticipation chased him as he galloped across the large meadow, the stallion responsive to his eagerness. He reined the animal into the woodland trail and after making slower progress, arrived at the hunting lodge. Emily’s mare contentedly munched from a bag of oats in the wattle and daub hut.
Gregor unsaddled his horse, set him to feed, and rubbed him down, while attempting to calm the frantic racing of his own heart.
He called out before opening the cottage door, wanting to reassure Emily he approached and not an intruder. She’d become quite proficient with her knives, and he preferred she not use the blades on him.
He stopped just past the threshold. The room glowed with candlelight. A feast fit for royalty had been spread upon the table. Emily, his beautiful wife, lay upon the furs atop the bed with naught covering her desirable body. The only feast he desired.
His arousal pressed hard against his trews.
“Hello, husband.” The softly spoken greeting jerked him into action.
He crossed the floor with long strides. He marveled at her perfection. “Hello, wife.”
She slid over and patted the mattress beside her.
He stripped quickly and joined her on the bed. “I went to find you at the castle, wanting to tell you of a decision I made. That is when Lady Isobell gave me your missive.”
“I have something to share with you as well, but first, make love to me.” Her husky voice and the desire in her soft blue eyes fired his blood and he couldn’t deny the request.
Their loving flowed with beauty and intensity and, as always, like the first time.
Afterward, Emily caressed his chest, drawing wee circles with nimble fingers.
“What is it, sweetling? What have you to tell me?”
“I’m going to have a baby…a bairn.”
“You are?” The question near to strangled in his throat. At her tentative nod, he wrapped her in a tender embrace. “Your news has brought me immense joy.”
“So, what was the decision you wanted to share with me?” Emily asked later while they ate.
“I have decided to nae longer stalk the white stag. I saw him today. He is a magnificent beast. He deserves to live a long life.”
Emily squeezed his hand. “I’m glad.”
Gregor no longer felt the need to prove himself to his father, to the chief, or to the clan. The only person’s opinion that mattered to him was the love of his life—Emily.